It wasn’t too hard for Lincoln-Way North’s Ethan Klosak to fly under the radar last season.
After all, the 6-foot outside hitter attacked as North’s fourth offensive option and rotated alongside Lewis recruit Jake Walenga, the Daily Southtown Player of the Year and one of the state’s most electric players.
But there’s no overlooking Klosak in 2015.
The junior has emerged as one of the top outside hitters in the Southland, accounting for 34 percent of North’s points as the go-to option on offense. It’s a role that Klosak is still learning to hold down.
“They’re huge shoes to fill,” Klosak said of replacing Walenga and Brad McFarland as North’s primary offensive weapons. “Those guys are great, but we need to look to the future a little bit.
“It’s hard to step in like that, but it has to be done. If it’s me, great. But it’s more the team that will succeed, not just one or two guys.”
Klosak’s all-around play isn’t going unnoticed. He earned all-tournament honors at the 24-team Marist and Warren invitationals. He’s posted 190 kills on a robust .371 hitting percentage through 17 matches for the Phoenix (12-5).
“He does it all,” Lincoln-Way North coach Matt Lawrence. “He’s a great teammate, leader and player.”
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Klosak also has 21 aces and 91 digs in his impressive stat line, showing he’s capable of contributing anywhere on the floor.
Smack Attack
The 24-team Brother Rice Smack Attack is again shaping up to be one of the top in-season tournaments of the season.
Undefeated state title contender Glenbard West, Sandburg and reigning Indiana state champion Chesterton are the top three seeds. Naperville Central, defending champ Brother Rice, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way North and Marist round out the top seeds in each pool.
Marist was the only non-top seed to advance to the championship bracket last season. Lincoln-Way Central’s Connor Hipelius and Eisenhower’s Robert McCoy are the only returning all-tournament selections from the Southland.
The championship match is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday at Saint Xavier University, which provides a great atmosphere for spectators.
Dealing aces
Andrew’s Sanil Thomas served 58 aces last season, the second-best total in the Southland. It would be of little surprise if Thomas finished first this year. The Ohio State recruit posted six aces Monday in a win over Homewood-Flossmoor, and his jump serve is among the nastiest in the state.
Making strides
H-F is moving in the right direction in coach Bob St. Leger’s second season with the program. The Vikings won just three matches a year ago but will double that total with their next victory.
St. Leger said Brendan Crawford, a junior opposite who played baseball as a freshman and sophomore, is one to watch.
“I’ve been doing this for 13 years and I’ve never seen anyone make such strides in that short of time,” St. Leger said of Crawford’s first month in the sport.
Player of the Week
Michael Wexter, of Lincoln-Way West, is the Daily Southtown’s Player of the Week.
The Pepperdine recruit registered 11 kills, nine digs and four blocks as the Warriors (16-0) throttled Joliet West in two quick games, 25-10, 25-13. Wexter is a premier athlete with a 40-inch vertical.
Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Boys Volleyball Top 10
Records through Wednesday; last week’s rank in parenthesis
1. Lincoln-Way West 16-0 (1)
2. Joliet Catholic 11-1 (3)
3. Lockport 18-2 (6)
4. Lincoln-Way East 14-8 (4)
5. Sandburg 9-4 (2)
6. Brother Rice 9-6 (5)
7. Lincoln-Way Central 12-4 (8)
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8. Marist 10-6 (7)
9. Lincoln-Way North 12-5 (9)
10. Illiana Christian 10-3-1 (NR)